FILE

The Makabayan bloc has strongly criticized a recent Senate hearing, describing it as a politically motivated exercise that relied on questionable testimony and unverified allegations rather than credible evidence.

In a statement, the progressive coalition accused organizers of the proceeding, linked to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, of using the hearing as a platform to attack progressive leaders and former Makabayan representatives.

The group raised concerns over the conduct of the hearing, which took place amid ongoing disputes over the Senate's leadership and questions surrounding the authority behind certain committee activities.

“Sa gitna ng nagpapatuloy na sigalot sa liderato ng Senado, nakababahala na may mga pagdinig na itinutulak sa ilalim ng kaduda-dudang awtoridad at pagkatapos ay ginagamit upang magpakalat ng mga alegasyong walang sapat na ebidensya,” the bloc said.

According to Makabayan, the proceeding failed to meet the standards of a serious investigation and instead became a venue for spreading speculation and political accusations.

“Kahiya-hiya sa mamamayan ang isang hearing na batbat ng tsismis, haka-haka, at pampulitikang agenda,” the group said.
The coalition also challenged the credibility of the evidence and testimony presented during the hearing, arguing that the claims were based largely on stories and insinuations rather than verifiable facts.

“Ang ipinresentang 'ebidensya' ay hindi ebidensya kundi puro kwento, insinuation, at tahasang kasinungalingan,” the statement read.

Makabayan further alleged that some witnesses appeared to change their narratives depending on shifting political alliances, casting doubt on the reliability of their statements.

“Lalong nawawalan ng kredibilidad ang mga tinaguriang testigo dahil kitang-kita ang pagbabago ng kanilang script depende sa umiiral na pampulitikang alyansa,” the group said.

The bloc argued that names mentioned in the allegations seemed to change depending on the political climate, which it said was a sign that the hearing was driven more by political interests than by a search for truth.

“May mga pangalang nawawala at may mga bagong pangalang lumilitaw depende sa pangangailangan. Ito ang pinakamalinaw na patunay na maruming pamumulitika ang nagaganap. Weather-weather ang kanilang mga akusasyon,” it added.

Makabayan also rejected attempts to link the coalition to the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

“Muli, mariin naming pinabubulaanan ang anumang pagtatangkang iugnay ang Makabayan sa flood control scandal. Walang flood control projects, infrastructure allocations, o project insertions ang Makabayan, kaya wala ring anumang kickback na maaaring matanggap,” the bloc said.

The group called on the Senate to address its internal issues and ensure that public resources are not used for what it described as politically motivated proceedings.

“The Senate should get its house in order. Ang mga pasilidad at pondo ng bayan ay hindi dapat ginagamit para sa mga bogus na hearing, bogus na testigo, at bogus na ebidensya,” the statement said.

Despite the allegations raised against its members, Makabayan said it would continue its advocacy work and would not be deterred by what it called smear campaigns and political harassment.

“The Makabayan bloc will not be intimidated by fabricated allegations, political harassment, or smear campaigns. Patuloy naming igigiit ang katotohanan at pananagutan habang naninindigan kasama ng mamamayan laban sa korapsyon at pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan.”